Apparatus for storage of materials

ABSTRACT

An apparatus that allows a user to conveniently store and dispense materials and substances of high viscosity. A pair of lids are hingeably coupled to a storage structure at opposite ends of the storage structure. The storage structure defines a storage cavity that is adapted to receive highly viscous substances, oils and gels. The lids adapted to swing onto a storage position proximate to the storage cavity. Magnets and ferromagnetic materials are optionally included and positioned to maintain one or more flaps in a closed storage position and/or to maintain a relative coupling of the two or more storage structures. The storage structure may additionally comprise internal walls that define internal features for holding portions of a material or substance. The internal storage features may define a plurality of storage volumes of equally dimensioned shapes adapted for distributing stored material or substance in equal volumes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and devices for the handling and transportation of materials and objects that have high degrees of viscosity. More particularly the invented method relates to methods and devices for securing and materials that are semi-solid or exhibit a high viscosity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a common task of consumers and workers in various fields to package and retain materials of viscosity within their clothing or in storage containers. The prior art offers wide varieties of containers, fails to optimally provide containers that enable easy packaging and dispensing of highly viscous materials contained therein

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to allow a user to conveniently store and transport materials having a high viscosity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Towards this object and other objects that are made obvious in light of the present disclosure, a device is provided that includes a storage zone and one or more lid elements. The invented device may be or comprise silicone and/or other suitable flexible and soft materials known in the art, in singularity or in combination,

In a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of lids are hingeably coupled to a storage structure at opposite ends of the storage structure. The storage structure defines a storage cavity that is adapted to receive materials and substances, such as highly viscous oils and gels. The lids are shaped and positioned to both swing onto a storage position proximate to the storage cavity.

In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, magnets and ferromagnetic materials are included and positioned to maintain one or more flaps in a position proximate to the storage cavity.

According to another optional aspect of the method of the present invention, magnets and ferromagnetic materials are included and positioned within one two or more storage structure to maintain a relative coupling of the two or more storage structures.

According to a still other optional aspect of the method of the present invention, the storage structure comprises internal walls that define structures for holding portions of the material or substance stored within the storage cavity. More particularly, the internal walls may define a plurality of storage volumes of equally dimensioned shapes that are useful in distributing the stored material or substance in equal volume of material or substance.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a top view of the of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C shows an alternate side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1D shows a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an alternate bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a side cut-away view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A shows a top view of a second version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with magnets;

FIG. 6B shows a bottom view of the second version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with magnets;

FIG. 6C shows a top view of a third version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6D shows a bottom view of the third version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A shows a side view of a first version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B shows a side view of the first version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A shows a top view of a fourth version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with additional magnets;

FIG. 8B shows a top view of a fifth version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of with interlocking features;

FIG. 9 shows a side cut-away view of a sixth version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 9 with inserts;

FIG. 10 shows a cut-away side view plurality of the sixth version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 9 in stacks;

FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the sixth version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows a top view of an optional hexagonal-stored structure of the sixth version of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 shows a cut-away side view of the sixth version of FIG. 9 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with stored structures; and

FIG. 14 shows the sixth version of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 9 of the present invention in use with solidified or frozen substances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1A shows a top view of a first preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention (hereinafter, “first version” 2). The first version 2 may be or comprise silicone and/or other suitable flexible and soft materials known in the art, in singularity or in combination.

A storage body 4 defines a lip 5 and a storage cavity 6. The lip 5 of the storage body 4 is adapted for scraping a material from an external tool. A back flap 8 and a front flap 10 are rotatably coupled to the storage body respectively and separately at a first back flap score line 8A and a front flap score line 10A. A second back flap score line 8B positioned between a back flap intermediate plate 8C and a back flap cover plate 8D enable a rotatable coupling of the back flap intermediate plate 8C with the back flap cover plate 8D.

Signage S1-S4 is present on the first version 2 for display at the storage body 4, the back flap 6 and the front flap 10. A pair of posts 14A & 14B extend from the storage body 4 and are shaped and sized, as further discussed in reference to FIG. 7, to detachably attach the back flap 8 and the front flap 10 in positions that are proximate to the storage cavity 6. One or more posts 14A & 14B may be or comprise silicone and/or other suitable elastic, deformable, flexible and soft materials known in the art, in singularity or in combination,

The posts 14A & 14B each extend from separate sloping sidewalls 4A & 4B of the storage body 4. Each of a pair of back flap side apertures 8E & 8F of the back flap cover plate 8D are preferably sized and positioned for separate traversals of an individual and separate post 14A & 14B without interference or physical contact with either post 14A & 14B.

Each of a pair of front flap side apertures 10B & 10C are sized and positioned to separately, detachably and securely couple with a post 14A & 14B whereby the back flap 8 is captured between the front flap 10 and the sloping sidewalls 4A & 4B of the storage body 4 and the back flap 8 is thereby detachably coupled with the sloping sidewalls 4A & 4B and proximate to the storage cavity 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1B, FIG. 1B shows a side view of the first version 2 wherein a first signage Si is presented.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1C, FIG. 1C shows an alternate side view of the first version 2 and wherein the sloping sidewalls 4A & 4B of the storage body are viewable.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1D, FIG. 1D shows a bottom view of the first version 2, wherein a second signage S2 and a third signage S3 are visible.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the first version 2.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the first version 2, wherein the first signage S1, the second signage S2 and the third signage S3 are visible.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 shows an alternate bottom perspective view of the first version 2, wherein the first signage S1, the second signage S2 and the third signage S3 are visible.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 shows a side cut-away view of the first version 2 wherein a semi-solid substance 15 is deposited within the storage cavity 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6A, FIG. 6A shows a top view of a second version 16 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with magnets 16A and ferromagnetic material pads 16B are presented. The magnets 16A and the ferromagnetic material pads 16B are shaped and positioned to employ magnetic force to maintain the back flap 8 and the front flap 10 of the second version 16 in position relative and proximate to the storage cavity 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B shows a bottom of the second version 16 with additional magnets 16A and additional ferromagnetic material pads 16B are presented. The magnets 16A and the ferromagnetic material pads 16B are shaped and positioned to employ magnetic force to maintain the back flap 8 and the front flap 10 of the second version 16 in position relative and proximate to the storage cavity 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6C, FIG. 6C shows a top view of a third version 18 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with alternate magnets 18A and alternate ferromagnetic material pads 18B are presented. The alternate magnets 18A and the alternate ferromagnetic material pads 18B are shaped and positioned to employ magnetic force to maintain the back flap 8 and the front flap 10 of the third version 18 in position relative and proximate to the storage cavity 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6D, FIG. 6D shows a bottom view of the third version 18 with additional magnets 18A. The magnets 18A are shaped and positioned to employ magnetic force to maintain the back flap 8 and the front flap 10 of the third version 18 in position relative and proximate to the storage cavity 6.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 7A, FIG. 7A shows a side view of the first post 14A and indicates a front flap radius R1 of the first front flap aperture 10B, a back flap radius R2 of the first back flap aperture 8E.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 7B, FIG. 7B shows a side view of the first post 14A and indicates a button radius R3 of a first post button 14AB of the first post 14A and a shaft radius R4 of a first post shaft 14AS of the first post 14A. It is understood that the maximum button radius R3 is larger than the maximum shaft radius R4, and that the back flap radius R2 is larger than the maximum button radius R3. It is further understood that the front flap radius R1 of the first front flap aperture 10B is both larger than the maximum shaft radius R4 and smaller than the maximum button radius R3. In practice, a user may force front flap 10 past the post button heads 14AB & 14BB by deforming the post button heads 14AB & 14BB to achieve the position of FIG. 7B, wherein the front flap 10 detachably couples both itself and the back flap 8 to the posts 14A & 14B.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 8A, FIG. 8A shows a top view of a fourth version 20 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with additional side magnets 22. Each side magnet 22 is placed within a sidewall 4A & 4B and oriented to attract the side magnet 22 of a neighboring fourth version 20.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 8B, FIG. 8B shows a top view of a fifth version 24 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention of with interlocking features 26 & 28.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 shows a side cut-away view of a sixth version 30 having an outer shell 32, a pliable insert 34 and a lid 36.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 shows a cut-away side view of a plurality of the sixth version 30 further comprising interlocking stacking features 30A & 30B and placed in a stacked position.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the sixth version 30.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 shows a top view of an optional hexagonal-storage structure 38 of the pliable insert 34 of the sixth version 30. Each hexagonal-storage structure 38 is preferably of a same three dimensional shape and more preferably defines a substantively equal storage volume of each other hexagonal-storage structure 38.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 13, FIG. 13 shows a cut-away side view of the sixth version 30 wherein the hexagonal-storage structure 38 of the pliable insert 34 of the sixth version 30 is present.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 14, FIG. 14 shows the pliable insert 34 being manually deformed by a user 40 whereby substantively equal volumes of the substance 15 is being dispensed.

The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible configurations or aspects of the Present Invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred configurations or aspects of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a body, the body forming a cavity, a front edge and a back edge; and a back flap, the back flap rotatably coupled with the body back edge and adapted to enclose the cavity in combination with the body; and a front flap, the front flap rotatably coupled with the body front edge and adapted to at least partially cover the back flap when the back flap is enclosing the cavity.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back flap is configured to extend to the body front edge when the back flap is enclosing the cavity.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body forms a lip adapted for scraping a material from an external tool.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a pair of sloping sidewalls, the sidewalls sloping downwards from the body back edge to the body front edge.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a pair of sloping sidewalls, the sidewalls sloping downwards from the body front edge to the body back edge.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back flap is adapted to detachably couple with the body when the back flap is enclosing the cavity.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front flap is adapted to detachably couple with the back flap when the back flap is enclosing the cavity.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a first post, the first post adapted to extend through a first back flap aperture of the back flap when the back flap is enclosing the cavity.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first post is further adapted to extend through a first front flap aperture of the front flap when the back flap is enclosing the cavity.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the body further comprises a second post, the second post adapted to extend through a second back flap aperture of the back flap when the back flap is enclosing the cavity.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second post is further adapted to extend through a second front flap aperture of the front flap when the back flap is enclosing the cavity.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first post is compressible and is undersized relative to the first back flap aperture and oversized relative to the first front flap aperture, whereby the first post is compressed when traversing through the first back flap aperture.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first signage on a body surface of the body.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second signage on a back flap surface of the back flap.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a third signage on a front flap surface of the front flap.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back flap comprise a cover plate and an intermediate plate, the intermediate plate rotatably coupled with the body and the cover plate rotatably coupled with the intermediate plate. 